Table 1.
Adjuvant effect of systemic drugs on healing rates of venous ulcers on top of adequate compression and topical therapy
| Drugs | Number of studies (N pts) | Quality (GRADE) | Efficacy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral SDX | 4 (488) | High | Likely to be beneficial |
| Oral pentoxifylline | 7 (659) | High | Beneficial |
| Systemic mesoglycan | 1 (183) | Moderate | Likely to be beneficial |
| Oral flavonoids | 5 (723) | Moderate | Likely to be beneficial |
| IV prostaglandin EI | 1 (87) | Low | Unknown effectiveness |
| Oral rutosides | 1 (small) | Low | Unknown effectiveness |
| Oral thromboxane antagonists A2 | 1 (165) | Low | Unknown effectiveness |
| Oral aspirin | 1 (small) | Very low | Unknown effectiveness |
Note: The table includes a number of systemic drugs studied in controlled trials on the healing rates of venous leg ulcers. The number of studies and patients, the grade of quality of the evidences, and the level of efficacy are listed for each drug. Copyright © 2011 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. Reproduced with permission Nelson EA. Venous leg ulcers. Clin Evid [online]. 2011;12:1902. http://clinicalevidence.bmj.com/x/systematic-review/1902/overview.html.78
Abbreviations: pts, patients; SDX, sulodexide; IV, intravenous.